Electric-current controller.



no. 577,360.y 1 Y Patented my 2, lm.

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lELEGTRIC CURRENT CONTROLLER.. (pplicltion med my 6; 19.01) um nodal.) 2 sheen-sheet No. 677,360. f f Patented luly 2, i901.

C. H. KEENEY. f ELECTRIC CURRENT GOIKITIWLLEI?.v

(Applictian led Msyf, 1901 l (No Modal.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. in section.

UNrTnD STATES PATENT Orrrcii.

CHARLES H. KEENEY, OF MHVAUKEE,WVISOONSIN.

ELECTRICCURRENT CONTROLLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 677,360, dated July 2, 1901.

Application iiled May 6, 1901. Serial No. 58,886. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, it' may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLns H. KEENEY, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric- Current Controllers, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved electric-current controller, and it includes novel devices for automatically controlling an electric current both by regulating the amount of amperage of the current and by wholly cutting it ed, the invention being directed chieiiy to the form, construction, and arrangement of the novel devices wherein and whereby simplicityof parts and a minimum ofexpense in construction are secured with a maximum of strength` and durability and the highest adaptability for and effectiveness in Work.

The invention consists of the devices and their combinations, as herein described and claimed, or the equivalents thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents an elevation of my improved devices as secured to and iXed on a vertical support. Fig. 2 is an edge view, partly in section, of some of the devices shown in front elevation in Fig. 1. Fig.v 3 is a detail, partly in section, of an electromagnet and solenoid with related parts involved in my invention. Fig. 11 is a side View, principally in outline, of devices shown in Fig. 3, parts being broken away anda fragment of the insulating-support' being shown Fig. 5 is an inverted or under side view of the switch-arm shown in its relation to other parts in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an elevation of a modified form of construction. Fig. 7 is an end view of a segmental contactpiece, a number of which contact-pieces are shown arranged in an are in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic,representation of an electric system in which my improved controller is indicated as a part thereof, showing its relation to an electric system. Y

In the drawings, 1 is a base or support for my improved devices and is preferably a slab of slate secured to a wall or other convenient verticallydisposed support. rIhis slab of slate serves not only as a support for the op- Other means of supporting to a binding-post et, and therefrom by a solenoid-coil 5 about its spool 6, and thence to a binding-post 7, and therefrom to a pivot-post 8. A swinging switch-arm 9 is pivoted on and is in electrical contact with the post 8, the switch-arm being so arranged as to be capable of being swung from its contact with an insulating-plate 10, iixed on the slate 1, to any one ofv a series of contact-pieces 11 11, ar-

ranged in an arc corresponding with the arc of motion of the free extremity of the arm. These-several contact-pieces are connected electrically to each other by resistance mediums 12, as coils oit'- Wire or otherwise, and from the last contact-piece 11a the line Wire or conductor 2 runs to a binding-post 13 and thence to and is continued beyond a motor 14:. A shunt line or branch conductor 15 leads from a contact-piece 1l to a contact-post 16, and thence by an electromagnet-coil 17 about its spool 1S and to another contact-post 19, and thence to a binding-post 20, and from this post by a motor shunt-coil to the line-wire 2 at the distant side of the motor 14.

The several binding-posts, contact-pieces, y

and contact-posts hereinbefore enumerated are mounted and thereby'supported and insulated on the slate 1. The plate 10, of insulating material, is a mere rest for the free extremity of the switchrarm 9 and isprovided as a convenient means of construction, rather than to leave an elevationvon the surface of the slab 1.

The several contact-pieces 11 are preferably constructed of strips of metal in tapering or segmental form and are arranged in an arc of a circle, their outer ends being secured to the supporting-slate conveniently by means of a screw 2l, provided with nuts 22, 23, and 23, 'The binding-nuts 23 and 23 hold the screw in place in the slate 1, and the nut 22 clamps the contact-piece 11 in place on the nut 23 at a distance from the slate 1. y

IOO

'The other and inner extremity of the contactpiece is provided with a tang 24 and adjacent shoulders 25, and the extremity of the contact-piece is turned at a right angle to its principal plane, whereby the tang 24 is adapted to and does enter a recess therefor in the slab l, and the shoulders 25 rest on the slab. By this means the contact-pieces are held securelyv in position on and preferablyaway from the slab and in such manner that-the swinging free extremity of the switch-arm 9 can contact electrically with the pieces and at the same time betree to pass over them asthe arm is Aswung around. The contactpieces arei'apered or in segmental form, the side edges of the contact-pieces being substantially in radial lines, being thereby especially adapted to break contact with a radially-disposed contact member on the switcharm synchronously along the extended straight edge of its contacting surface.

An iron frame 26 is secured to the slate 1 conveniently by means of screws 27 27 and is thereby supported and insulated. This framey secured in place therein by an iron screw 28,

' oid-core vertically in the spool 6. A strip of i turning through a transverse medial member 29 of the frame into the brass non-magnetic tubular axial memberof the spool 6 at the top of the spool, thus supporting the spool depending removably from the frame. The iron screw 28, fixed in the iron frame 26, serves also as a magnetic pole ofthe solenoidcoil 5. A bar of soft iron 30, linserted loosely in the brass non-magnetic tubular axial member of the spool 6, is movable endwise there-` in and serves as the core of a solenoid. A blo-ck 31, of insulating material, secured to the lower end of the b ar 30, is so formed as also to be a cross-head adapted to'travel vertically between the elongated guideway members 32 32, forming a part of the frame 26, and prevent axial rotation of the bar. 'The construction and disposition of the tubular member of spool 6, the guideway members 32, the

18 the armature 41 will be attracted and held to the magnet.

bar 30, and the block 31 are such as to guide and control the movement of thebar or solenmetal 33, secured to and thereby insulate-d on the block 31,is so formed as to be adapted to contact concurrently at its respective ends with the contact-posts 16 and 19, short-circuiting the coil 17 when lthe solenoid-core is attracted and drawn up to the magnetic-pole screw 28 when the solenoid is energized electrically. A brass non-magnetic pin 30 is xed in and projects slightly from the end of bar 30 which contacts with the screw 28 when the bar is attracted magneticallythereto and so separate the bai-and screw thatthe bar will quickly fall when the electric energy is cut from the solenoid, and thus prevents L the bar being held up by any residual magnetism. A set-screw 34 turns vertically through Grieco .is advisably employed on the set-screw 34.

A knob or handle 37, vof insulating material, is advisably fixed on the block 31, by means of which the attendant can, itdesired, lift the block and. core, bringing the circuit-closer 33 up'ginto contact with the contact-posts 16 and 19.

The spool 18 is mounted on a metal cor'e 38, and this metal core is secured to a projecting member 39 of the frame 26 by a screw 40,

turning through the projecting member intol the end of the core axially. The core 38 is disposed parallel with'the transverse medial member 29 of the frame 26, the construction being. such that the free end of the core 38 and a correspondingend of the medial member 29 are substantially in the same plane, so as to be adapted to be contacted by a'metal armature 41. This armature 41 is supported in upright position pivotally on' the frame 26 y by a screw 42, which passes loosely through an aperture in the armature therefor and turns into the frame. The construction is such that the armature may rest against the core 38 and the medial member 29 of the frame, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, or the armature may tilt away from the core and medial member 29. A brass screw 43, passing through an aperture therefor in the armature 41, is fixed in the core 38 and serves as a guide and adjustable non-magnetic stop for `the movement of the armature. understood that when the magnet, consisting of the core 38, and the medial member 29 are energized electrically by a current of elec- It will be tricity passing through the'coil 17 on the core The lnetal switch-arm' 9, pivoted on and having electric contact with the pivot-post 8, is provided with a segment 44, having pel ripheral notches at a little distance from each other and corresponding in number and regi istration with the contact pieces 1-1 and j adapted to be engaged releasably by a vfinger 45, projecting vat one extremity from the `.swinging armature 4l.

segment 44 are so vdisposed that the switchvarm 9 will be held by the finger 45 in contact The notches in the Ioe IIO

with any one of' the pieces ll to which the switch is moved by the linger entering a corresponding notch in the segment. A block of carbon 46, adapted 'to serve as a contact i member, contacting severally with the contact-pieces 11, is mounted on the'switch-arm 9 by means of guide-pins 47, xed in the block of carbon, which pins extend loosely through the switch-arm 9 and permit of the movement of the block toward and from the switch-arm and so as to be constantly in the plane of the surface of the contact-pieces 11, 'which is also the plane of the surface of the plate 10. The block 46 rests constantly on some one or more of these contact-pieces 11 or on the plate 10. A spring 48, secured to the switch-arm 9, bears against the block 46 and holds it yieldingly to its work. A flexible strip of metal 49, preferablyof copper,secured to the switcharm 9 conveniently by means of the screw 50 and to the block 46, insures a constant electric connection between the switch-arm and the block 46; The metal pins 47, fixed in the block 46 and passing through the switch-arm 9, would ordinarily provide an electric circuit; but the metal strip 49 insures the electrical connection. A handle 51 is secured to the switch-arm 9 by the screw 50. A spring 52, secured at one end to and coiled about the post 8,-bears atits inner end against the switch-arm 9 and is adapted as a torsional spring to throw the switch-arm 9 around and hold it yieldingly on the plate 10, resting against a stop 53, fixed in the slate 1, and the spring 52, serving as an expansion-springis adapted to press the switch-arm toward the slate and hold it on the post 8 and firmly against the metal collar 54, iixed on the post 8, thereby forming a sure and constant electrical contact of the switch-arm with the post. The strength of the spring 48 is adjustable by means of the screw 55 and the nut turning thereon, the screw passing through the springnear one extremity, which spring is fulcrumed medially on a rib projecting from the switch-arm 9. The nut on screw 55 'is held against rotation by a shoulder on the spring against which the nut contacts.

When the switch-arm 9 rests on the plate 10,- the circuit is broken through the line 2.

`When the line is elosed,whieh is accomplished by swinging the switch-'arm 9 around to Vany one of the contact-pieces 1l, the armature 41 will be attracted to the magnet, including the core 38, and the finger 45 will engage the segment 44 and hold the switch-arm 9 in position against the torsional action of the spring 52,`

which tends to throw the arm 9around to the f plate 10 and open the circuit. If the strength of the current passing through the line is too light to hold the armature 41 up to its work, it will tilt away from its magnet, and thereby release the segment 44, permitting the arm 9 to swing around to the plate 10, and thus break the circuit. If, on the other hand,while i the switch-arm 9 is around to and in contact with a contact-piece 11, the currentshould become 4Jroo strong, and thereby overload the Y n S3 releasing the armature 41, permitting the switch-arm 9, under the torsional effort of spring 52, to swing around to plate 10, thereby opening the electric circuit through the motor.

In the modified form of device shown in Fig. 6 the notched segment 44 of Fig. V1 is omitted, and an armature 5(3,mounted loosely on the switch-arm 9, is substituted for the armature 41 of the form of device shown in Fig. 1. A screw 57 passes loosely through the armature medially and turns into the switch-arm. Lugs 58 58 on the switch-arm prevent the armature from motion rotatively about the screw 57 as a pivot.

What I claim as my invention is l. In a controller for electric current, an iron frame, an electromagnet-spool and its coil mounted on the frame, and a solenoidspooland its coil suspended on the framefrom a medial bar thereof located between the electromagnet-spool andthe solenoid-spool.

2. In a controller for electric current, an iron frame, an electromagnet-spool. mounted on the frame, a solenoid-spool having a non-l magnetic tubular axial member, and an iron screw through a part of the frame located between the two spools and turning by its thread into the tubular axial member ot` the solenoid-spool.

3. In electrical devices, an iron frame, a solenoid-spool having a tubular non-magnetic axial member, and an iron screw through a member of the frame and turning by its thread into the tubular m'e mber of the spool and suspending the spool removably on the frame, the screw being adapted to serve as a magnetic pole of the solenoid.

4. In electric devices, an iron frame,asolen oid-spool having a tubular non-magnetic axial member, an iron screw through a member ofV the frame and turning by its thread into the tubular member of the spool and suspending.

the spool on the frame, the screw being adapted to serve as a magnetic pole of the solenoid, and a softiron solenoid-core supported normally on the frame and arrangedto travel vertically in and be guided by the tubular member of the solenoid.

5. In electrical devices, an iron frame, a solenoid-spool having a non-magnetic tubularA axial member, means suspending the spool on the frame, a solenoid-core adapted to travel endwise in the tubular axial member of the spool, a block of insulating material secured to the end of the solenoid-core and guided in its movements with the core by ways inthe frame, and means for adjusting the core to a desired position in the spool-tube.

6. In electrical devices, an iron frame, a solenoid-spool` having a non-magnetic` tubular axial member, an iron magnetic spool-screw in the frame turning into the non-magnetic tubular member of the spool at thetop, asolenoid-core movable endwise in thetubular member of the spool, ablock of insulating material fixed on the lower end of the core,

and an adjustable screw in the'frame on they IOO IIO

end of which said blockand core are supported normally, the core 'beingadapted by vmeans-of the set-screw to be adjusted at a greater or less distance from the iron magnetic pole-screw. y

f7. In electrical devices, an iron frame, an electromagnet-coil mounted on the frame, the coil having lined terminal contact-posts adjacent to the frame, a solenoid-coil mounted 1o.

in the frame, a solenoidscore movable endL wise in the hollow axis of the solenoid-coil, an insulating-block on the outer end ot the core and an electric contact-strip on the insulating-block adapted to be put into contact with said contactfposts when the core under magnetic energy is drawn into the solenoidcoil.

8. In electrical devices, an integral iro'n frame, an iron core secured rigidly rto the iron frame, an electromagnet spool and coil on ysaid core, an armature arranged to contactl with the free extremity of said core and with a parallel member of said frame, a solenoid spool and coil mounted on the same frame, a solenoid-core movable endwise inthe solenoid- Y spool, an insulating-block on 'the free end of the solenoid-core, an electric contact-piece fixed on the insulating-block, and electric contact-posts disposedto be connected by the contact-piece on said insulating-block when the solenoidscore is drawn into its coil by magnetic energy,- tlie contact-posts being connected electrically to terminals of theV lelec-`v tromagnet-coil.

v9. In combination in electrical devices, an iron frame having an integral projecting member 26 substantially at a right angle to the part 29, an iron core 38 parallel with part 29 and secured detachably and magnetically `to the member 26, an electriccoil spool on said core,'and a movable arma-ture adapted to be attracted to and to connect the core and the part 29 as magnetic poles.

10. In combination in electrical devices, an

1 iron frame having an integral projecting inember 26 substantially at a right angle tothe part 29, an iron core 38 parallel with part 29 secured detachably and magnetically to the member 26, an electric-coil spool on said core, a movable armaturev adapted to be attracted to and to connect the core and the part 29 as magnetic poles, and a brass screw 43 inserted in said core and passing loosely an armature hinged on the frame bya screw passing loosely through the armature medially, the armature beingarranged to contact with said core and a part of the frame as magnetic polesand havinga nger extension beyond its hinge adapted to serve as a switchlocking'device, and a swinging switch-arm provided with a segment having notches.

adapted to. be engaged by the finger on the armature.

13. In electrical devices, a solenoid-spool provided with a nonsrnagnetic tubular axial member, a soft-iron magnetic pole in one extremity of the tubular axial member, an iron solenoid-core movable endwise in the tubular axial member of the spool and a non-mag'- netic pin in the end of the core adapted vto Contact with the magnetic pole and prevent the direct contact of the core with the pole when attracted thereto by the energy of the solenoid.

14. In electrical devices, a solenoid-spool provided witha non-magnetic tubular axial member, a soft-iron magnetic pole in one vcX- trer'nity of the tubular axial member, an iron solenoid-core movable .sidewise in the tubular axial member of the spool,.an elongated block of insulating material disposed transversely of and secured me'dially to the yend of the core, an electric contact-piece mounted on the insulating-block at a distance from the core, andan adjustable supporting-'screw bearing against the .end of the core.

15. I-n'electrical devices, a swinging switch- IOO arm, a post provided with a collar, and a spring secured at one end to .and coiled about the post and bearing against the switch-arm, the spring acting expansive] y to hold the arm to the collar and torsionally to throw the arm around in one direction laterally.

16. In electrical devices, a swinging switch arm, an electric contact-block provided with a plurality of pins `passing loosely through the switch-arm, and means for holding kthe block yieldingly away from the arm.

' 17. In electrical devices, aswinging switcharm, an electric contact-block provided with a plurality of pins passing loosely through vthe switch-arm, a spring bearing against the block and `held. adj ustably on the arm adapted to push the block yieldingly away from the arm.

18. In electrical devices, a swinging switcharm, an electric contact-block provided with a plurality of pins passingloosely through the switch-arm, a flat spring fulcrumed medially onvthe` arm and bearing at one end on the block `and provided with a shoulder at its other end, a nut engaged by the shoulder and a screw revoluble in the arm turning into the nut and adapted kto regulate the strength of the spring. v

19.' In electrical devices, aswinging switcharm, an electric contact-block provided with a plurality of pins'passing loosely through the switcharm,means for holdin g the block yield- IIO ' right angle to the principal plane of the contact-piece, and means for securing the other end of the contact-piece to a support.

2l. In a controller for electric current, an

Y integral iron frame, an electromagnet mounted on the frame, a solenoid mounted on the frame and electrically connected to the armature of a motor, and means adapted to shortcircuit the electromagnet by an electric overload of the motor-armature to a predetermined extent.

22. In a controller` for electric current, an integral iron frame, an electromagnet mountf ed on the frame, a solenoid on the frame and electrically connected to the armature of a motor, an armature held magnetically to the frame, and means for releasing magnetically the armature by short-circuiting the electromagnet at a predetermined overload of the v' motor-armature.

23. In a controller for electric current, an iron frame, an electromagnet-spool and its coil mounted on the frame, and a solenoidspool and its coil mounted on the frame, a medial bar of the frame being located between the electromagnet-spool andthe solenoid-spool.

24. In a controller for electric current, an integral iron frame, an .electromagnet and a solenoid mounted on the frame, an armature hinged to the frame, and means for magnetically releasing the armature by short-circuiting the electromagnet.

25. In a controller for electric current, an integral iron frame, an electromagnet and a. solenoid mounted on the frame, and means for short-circuiting the electromagnet. 26. In a controller for electric current, an integral iron frame, an electromagnet and a solenoid mounted on the frame, an armature held magnetically to the frame, and means for magnetically releasing the armature by shortcircuiting the electromagnet.

27.. In a controller for electric current, an integral iron frame arranged to act as magnetic poles .to both an electromagnet and a Vsolenoid attached thereto, and means for short-circuiting the electromagnet by the solenoid.

lIn testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES KEENEY.

Witnesses:

ANNA V. FAUST, C. T. BENEDICT. 

